Clean out your closets!

The Syracuse Commission for Women is holding it’s first ever refugee clothing drive this upcoming Saturday, May 21st. This is the perfect time to do some spring cleaning and decluttering for a great cause. Please bring clean, gently-used clothing and household goods to any of three drop off locations:

Northeast Community Center, 716 Hawley Ave., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Southwest Community Center, 401 South Ave., from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Bob Cecile Community Center, 176 West Seneca Tpke., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Donations will go to the Catholic Charities Refugee Resettlement program

To view the printable flyer, go to: http://www.syracuse.ny.us/uploadedFiles/Clothing%20Drive.pdf With questions, call the Mayor’s office at 448-8005, or email lspeicher@ci.syracuse.ny.us/. We hope to see you there!

The Citizen’s Academy is accepting applications

The Citizens Academy is now accepting applications for the 2011 program, which will run September 20th through November 15th.  The Citizens Academy is a free, 8-week curriculum sponsored by the University College and FOCUS GreaterSyracuse.  The program is intended to help participants gain a deeper understanding of how local governmments work, and aid residents who would like to become more engaged in pubic affairs. Participants learn from local leaders and department heads about government services, have the opportunity to interact with elected officials, and  get to know other civically-minded residents of Onondaga County. In years past, classes have heard from the Mayor, Sheriff and Police Chief, toured the County Justice Center, visited the Metropolitan Sewage Treatment Plant, and learned about area sustainability initiatives.

The class  is limited to 35 participants who must commit to attend 7 of the 8 evening sessions, so get your application in ASAP. Class runs Wednesday evenings from 5:30-8:30pm (a light supper is provided) at various locations and community facilities.  The deadline for applications is August 5th, 2011, and can be completed online. For more information or to apply, visit the Citizens Academy webpage at http://citizensacademycny.org/, or view their brochure at http://citizensacademycny.org/citizens_academy10.pdf.

Clean up ‘Cuse!

Last saturday , members of the Mayor’s Citizens Cabinet joined  in a citywide effort to get a fresh start for spring by picking up trash and litter in their neighborhoods. The Clean up ‘Cuse event brought neighbors together to get our City looking spick and span for the summer months ahead. Lowe’s graciously donated bags, gloves and trash pickers to aid in the cleanup, and cabinet members organized teams for what will be an annual spring event. Visit the City Flikr page to see more photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/city_of_syracuse/sets/72157626632760250/.

The Butternut Community Police Center groups cleaned up the Northside

Butternut Street

La Liga cleaned up the Near Westside

Tipp Hill

Syracuse Daffodil Days

This spring, check out what’s blooming in Syracuse! Thanks to the many hands who helped with the Syracuse Daffodil Days bulb project, it finally looks like spring has sprung!

Syracuse Daffodil Days
City Wide

“We encourage people to get out this spring; walk around the city and see the work of dozens of organizations and hundreds of volunteers who planted thousands of daffodil bulbs – 22,000 to be exact,” says Peter Wirth, organizer of the Westcott Neighborhood Bulb Project.

Since the project started in 2003 seventy two thousand  bulbs have been planted. Up until last year the focus was the east side neighborhood around the Wescott Community Center, sponsor of the project.  Last year we expanded to the North, South and West sides of Syracuse.

A special thanks to the following organizations who helped spread the project throughout the city: Northside Urban Partnership, Skunk City Neighborhood Organization, Westside Initiative & Women Transcending Boundaries – Sept. 11 Acts of Kindness Project.

Sites  where you can see bulbs blooming:

* Westcott neighborhood – hundreds of homes
* Westcott Community Gardens – Harvard Place near Westcott st.
* Cooperative Federal Credit Union hillside – 723 Westcott St.
* Westcott Community Center. – Corner of Westcott & Euclid
* Ed Smith School – Broad St. & Lancaster Ave.
* Hutchings Courtyard Garden – 550 Cedar St.
* Sunrise Community Center – 1330 E. Washington St.
* McGroarty Park –  McBride Street between East Laurel Street & Union Avenue.
* Faith Hope Community Center – 1029 Montgomery Street
* Mundy Branch Library – 1204 S. Geddes, corner of Rowland & Geddes
* House of Providence – 1700 West Onondaga Street
* Delaware Academy – 900 South Geddes St.  corner of Delaware S.
* Hartson Street – 100 block in front yards

Theses are just a handful of the places bulbs were planted.

To learn more about the project started in 2003, the 20 co-sponsoring organizations and where they planted 22,000 daffodil bulbs throughout the city in 2010  go to www.bulbproject.org Click on Westcott Bulb Project History for a list of sites planted in 2010. Three minute video on our home page is a great overview of the Bulb Project in the Westcott neighborhood.

Parking FAQ’s

How does odd/even parking work?

Odd/even parking exists to allow snowplows to clear the entire width of city streets from curb to curb during snowy winter months. By switching the side on which cars are parked from day to day using this system, plows are able to reach areas previously blocked by parked cars. During summer months, odd/even parking allows for the operation of street cleaning crews. Odd/even parking is used most often in residential areas.

It is important that those using on-street parking adhere to odd/even parking rules to allow for cars, emergency vehicles, street cleaning crews, and snowplows to pass through. Those who violate these guidelines may be ticketed or towed by the Syracuse Police Department.

Odd/even parking dictates that from 6pm on an odd day to 6pm on an even day, cars may park on the odd- addressed side of the street. At 6pm, vehicle owners must switch the side of the street on which their car is parked to the even side.  For example, on June 16^th, cars should begin the day parked on the odd side of the street. At 6pm that evening, cars should move to the even marked side of the street.

There are some exceptions to this rule, sometimes referred to as “fool’s days”. These are instances at the end of some months in which an odd day is immediately followed by another odd day.  Throughout the year, these fool’s days fall on  January 1^st, February 1^st, April 1^st, June 1^st, August 1^st, September 1^st, and November 1^st. On leap years, March 1^st is also a fool’s day.

 How do I use the pay and display parking system?

Pay and Display pay stations are installed throughout the city of Syracuse, in all metered business districts. Meterd parking times are from 9am to 6pm. Pay stations accept credit cards, dollar coins, quarters, dimes and nickels. (Quarter= 12 min., dime=5 min., nickel=2.5 min.) To use a pay and display machine, insert money and press the blue button to select the desired amount of time for parking. Then, press the green button to print a receipt. Display the receipt face up on the driver’s side dashboard of your vehicle.

Metered parking is essential in a healthy business district to promote turnover. Additional benefits of the pay and display parking system include:

• Less equipment (1 pay station for several cars replaces the system of one meter pole for every car)
• Receipts are portable, allowing patrons to take their remaining time with them to a different location
• New pay station machines accept credit cards in addition to coins for added convenience.
• Receipts can be used to contest parking citations and document business expenses
• Pay stations feature self-monitoring, and automatic notification of equipment problems
• Reduced equipment maintenance costs
• Revenue is generated for the city

The hourly on-street parking rate is determined solely by the Syracuse Common Council.  Rates are uniform throughout the entire city.

 What is harboring?

Harboring is when a car occupies an on street parking space for longer than the legal allowance. Most metered spaces are limited to 2 hours, although there are some exceptions. Harboring poses a problem in business districts by preventing turnover of parking spaces, which would allow new users access to the district. Parking enforcement is used to discourage harboring.

 Is there ever free parking in metered spaces?

Parking in metered districts is free throughout the city after 6pm and before 7am. Additionally, there are several holidays on which parking is free for the entire day. These include: New Year’s Day, MLK Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, and Christmas Day.

 What should I do if a pay station is out of order?

Use the next nearest pay station, and report the malfunctioning pay station to Cityline (448-2489).

 What are the benefits of reverse diagonal parking?

Reverse diagonal parking maximizes the number of spaces available in a streetscape, and can sometimes create a traffic calming effect by narrowing the width of the street. Reverse diagonal parking improves the sightline for drivers pulling out of spaces into traffic, creates a larger buffer between street traffic and pedestrians, and minimizes the possibility of “dooring” of bicyclists (when a car door opens unexpectedly, hitting a bicyclist). Additionally, when a reverse-diagonally parked car door opens, it opens creating a blockade between passengers and street-traffic, which increases safety, particularly for small children.

Signs are posted with instructions for reverse-diagonal parking.

 What is a residential parking permit?

A residential parking permit is a permit visibly displayed in a vehicle which identifies a vehicle as being authorized to park in a given residential district. Residential parking permits may be applied for on a property by property basis. Each property is allotted a certain number of permits for residents and guests. In Syracuse, there are not yet any residential parking districts, but the system is being investigated.

 Where is parking prohibited?

• On the sidewalk, or between the sidewalk and the curb
• Blocking the entrance to a driveway
• Within 10 feet of a fire hydrant
• On any lawn, vegetated area, or bare ground, publicly or privately owned

• In the central business district between the hours of 12am and 7am

Vehicles in violation may be ticketed or towed at the owner’s expense. To apply for a variance to create a parking area, contact the Board of Zoning Appeals at 448-8640. To report parking violations, call 442-5111.

 How do I convert on-street parking from 2-hour to metered, or odd/even? Vice-versa?

You must have the written consent of all property owners on the street, and gain authorization by the City Transportation Planner for approval by the Department of Public Works. Any requests must clearly document need for such a space.

 How do I request 12-minute parcel pick-up spaces?

12 minute parcel pick-up spaces are not appropriate in all areas and are only necessary to support specific land-uses. In appropriate instances, there must be written approval from all property owners on the street and the authorization by the city Transportation Planner to gain legal approval by the Department of Public Works. No more than one parcel-pickup space is usually granted per block and any requests must clearly document need for such a space.

How do I pay a parking ticket?

• You may pay a parking ticket with a credit card online at https://www.municipal-payments.com/Default.asp.
• You may pay a parking ticket with cash, check, or money order in person or by mail.

To pay in person go to:

City of Syracuse Parking Violations Bureau

City Hall, Room 116

233 E. Washington Street

Syracuse, NY 13202

To pay by mail, send payment to:

City of Syracuse

PO Box 5211

Dept. 116016

Binghamton, NY 13902-5211

• For questions, or to schedule a hearing to appeal a ticket, call 315-479-5300

Visit the parking FAQ’s section on the city webpage at: http://www.syracuse.ny.us/Parking_FAQs.aspx

Grace Flusche named “Woman of the Year”

Congratulations to Grace Flusche, who was today awarded the first ever “Woman of the Year” award by the Syracuse Women’s Commission!

Grace Flusche with Mayor Miner and the Syracuse Women’s Commission

There was a great turnout for the ceremony, with over 100 attendees. Mayor Miner highlightedGrace’s positive attitude, and willingness to always see the good in the people around her, her neighborhood, and her city. Grace thanked many of her friends and family members for helping her to get involved and make a difference in her community.

Quadrant cards are in the mail

This week be sure to keep an eye out for your yard waste quadrant card, which should be arriving in the mail. The card details the schedule for pick-up of yard waste and construction debris in each area for the months of April through October. The city is broken down into four quadrants, and the card lists the exact dates  yard waste should be set out at the curb for each. This year, we rethought the wording and layout of the cards to make sure they are clear and understandable. Let us know what you think! If you have suggestions for next year, please let me know; I would love to hear your input. This year’s quadrant information is below.  To view printable PDF versions of each card, go to DPW website at: http://www.syracuse.ny.us/Dept_of_Public_Works.aspx 

2011 QUADRANT SCHEDULE 

Northeast: April 2-3, April 30-May 1, June 4-5, July 2-3, Aug 6-7, Sept 3-4, Oct 1-2 

 

Southeast: April 9-10, May 7-8, June 11-12, July 9-10, Aug 13-14, Sept 10-11, Oct 8-9

 

Southwest: April 16-17, May 14-15, June 18-19, Jul 16-17, Aug 20-21, Sept. 17-18, Oct. 15-16

 

Northwest:April 23-24, May 21-22, June 25-26, July 23-24, Aug 27-28, Sept 24-25, Oct 22-23

 

• Yard waste includes Brush, Branches and Leaves.
• Separate yard waste from construction debris, household trash, and recyclables.
• Set yard waste at the curb line or the edge of the road. Use paper bags only (no plastic bags) or pile loose at curb. Piles should not block fi re hydrants, touch poles, bushes, or sewer vents.
• Do not place yard waste or construction debris in plastic bags, boxes or cans.
• Schedule construction debris pick-ups by calling 448-CITY (448-2489) one week prior to your pick-up. Pick-ups are limited to 2 cubic yards each (about the size of a washer and dryer set side by side).
• Contractors must arrange for the proper and legal disposal of construction debris generated during construction. Th e City will not pick up debris or yard waste generated by a contractor.

 Failure to comply with these rules may result in a citation by the city of Syracuse

A Reminder:

With cold temperatures and snowy weather returning to the area today (hopefully just for today), I would like to take the opportunity to remind Syracuse residents to show compassion for our furry friends. Several animal welfare groups approached me this past winter about dog chaining, and made me aware of  the sad consequences it may bring– especially in weather like this. Chaining subjects dogs to the elements, as well as boredom, discomfort, and possible abuse.  Additionally, chaining significantly increases the liklihood of aggressive behavior in dogs. Here is an article about the realities and consequences of dog chaining: http://www.peta.org/issues/companion-animals/chained-dog-findings.aspx

Here is a link to tips for the proper care and treatment of dogs: http://www.peta.org/living/companion-animals/dogs.aspx

And finally, here is a link to the City of Syracuse webpage pertaining to resources for pets and animals in Central New York: http://www.syracuse.ny.us/Animals.aspx

Thanks for reading.

Syracuse City charter, ordinances, codes, and local laws now available online

The City of Syracuse has added a new link to its webpage, allowing anyone to view the City Charter, revised general ordinances, codes and local laws, online and free of charge! The City Charter, adopted in 1960 with the approval of the Mayor, establishes the City of Syracuse, and outlines the roles and duties of each branch of government therein. Ordinances, codes, and local laws are voted on and approved by the Common Council. The City Clerk records and certifies all City ordinances, resolutions, and local laws enacted by the Council. It is our hope that making the municipal code available online will make government more accessible, and aid constituents in understanding how it works. Questions about municipal code can be directed to the law department at (315)448-8400. To view, follow the link below:

http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=10074&stateId=32&stateName=New%20York

“Woman of the Year Award” Celebration

The Syracuse Commission for Women is holding its first “Woman of the Year Award” ceremony in recognition of Women’s History Month. The Commission called for nominations from the community in early January, and the awards committee received many outstanding submissions. After reviewing all nominations, the committee has selected a winner, and will recognize her and her fellow nominees at a celebration on Thursday March 31^st, 2011. The event will take place at 2pm, in the Atrium at City Hall Commons. Please join us in honoring these inspiring women.

Nominees include:

 Michelle Walker

Carole Horan

Dr. Debbie Sydow

Grace Flusche

Toni Maxwell

Julie Cecile

Nancy McCoy

Mary Nelson

Jahnjae Alex

Celeste Madden

Vonyee Wright

Kimberly Boynton

Dr. Patricia Numann

Please RSVP to me by phone to 448-8005, or by email at lspeicher@ci.syracuse.ny.us. Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.